AUGUST 2024 NEWSLETTER

BRAD EBERHARDT

VP - Estimating

Greetings from the HCC Estimating Department.

2024 has been a busy year for our group, as we’ve been averaging bid submissions of approximately 1-2 jobs a week so far this year. We have submitted as many bids this year as we did for the entire year in 2023. Although we have not been as successful in “getting work” as we may have in the past, we are confident that our efforts will be rewarded as we continue to bid on work that we see coming. There always seems to be one bidder looking at a job entirely differently than HCC (and our other competitors). Our turn is coming, and we will be prepared to build them when they do.

We have seen that although the bigger jobs we like to bid and build may be reduced from our past ten years of work, there will still be many opportunities for us to bid and get work. We are comfortable with the fact that jobs will be available to us in the coming years. To be prepared for the uptick in jobs for us to look at, i.e., smaller jobs equal more projects to bid; we decided last fall to bring a couple of younger project managers into the estimating group from the field operations.

Kyle Pedersen has joined our team as an estimator. Kyle’s journey with HCC began in May 2018 as an intern, and he transitioned to full-time employment in May 2019. With nearly five years of field experience, Kyle brings valuable insights into how jobs are built, which he now applies to estimating and securing new projects. While it may seem counterintuitive to move a strong field manager into an office role, Kyle’s expertise is crucial for HCC’s long-term success. His deep understanding of field operations ensures that we continue to secure the work necessary for our crews to perform safely and efficiently.

Additionally, we brought on Mitchell Stegerwald as an estimator. Mitchell joined us full-time in May 2023 and gained valuable experience working with the crew on the Glendale project. While Mitchell may have a few years of field experience, his exceptional work ethic and dedication to continuous learning make him a strong asset to our team. Every day, he’s expanding his knowledge and refining his skills, contributing to our ongoing success.

We look forward to both of these individuals being the future leaders in the estimating department who will work with our leaders in the field operations to make HCC the best of class for years to come. As Peter Hoffman would always say, “Our competition fears us.” We need to make sure those words live on into the future.

MEET THR NEWEST MEMBERS OF OUR ESTIMATING TEAM!

Mitchell Stegerwald

Meet Mitchell Stegerwald, who recently completed his first year at Hoffman Construction as an estimator. He’s had a great experience working with the team, gaining valuable insights from both field and office colleagues.

One of the latest skills he’s picked up is how to set up and break down bid files—a crucial part of the estimating process. When he’s not at work, Mitchell enjoys spending weekends with friends and family, often participating in local events or fishing. His passion for construction started early, influenced by his dad’s side work in excavation, which sparked his interest in the industry. After college, Mitchell was drawn to Hoffman Construction, especially for the chance to build roads and move dirt, solidifying his decision to join our team.

Kyle Pedersen

Meet Kyle Pedersen, one of our new estimators at Hoffman Construction! After transitioning from field operations to the estimating team, Kyle has found excitement in understanding everything that goes into putting a complete bid together.

He enjoys the new perspective it gives him when looking at projects. Outside of work, Kyle likes to unwind by relaxing at home, but what might surprise you is his passion for waterfowl hunting—he spends most fall weekends out in the field, even making trips to North Dakota. Kyle’s most memorable project so far has been the Pleasant View Road Project in Middleton, WI, where he enjoyed the great area, weather, and people. If he could travel anywhere, Kyle would choose Scandinavia to explore his ancestral roots and tour the region’s beautiful landscapes.

HOFFMAN PROJECT UPDATES

Spooner Hwy 53

The Spooner Hwy 53 project is progressing significantly, with 60% of the work completed. Northbound Hwy 53 is now open to traffic, featuring all-new pavement and shoulders. The ramps for Hwy 63 and Hwy 70 NB have been completed and reopened. Half of Hwy 70 over Hwy 53 is also finished, and traffic was switched on July 24 to allow work on the remaining half. The newly constructed crossovers will facilitate this transition, marking the start of the final stage of southbound reconstruction.

This month, the focus is on removing pavement, grading, pipe installation, track crushing, gravel placement, and concrete placement on SB Hwy 53. Despite the rain impacting paving operations, the project remains on schedule, with NO SAFETY concerns reported.

A key milestone is the upcoming traffic switch to head-to-head on the newly completed northbound pavement, allowing the final stage of construction to commence. The project, spanning six miles with two major interchanges, has involved complex reconstructions and will continue to advance with Trierweiler Construction handling the concrete placement.

Washburn STH 13

The Washburn STH 13 project has reached 60% completion, with significant progress made this month. The pipework on the east half of the project, marking the first stage, is now finished. The city water and sewer contractor has also completed their tasks, allowing the first half of the project to be prepped for paving by the end of this week. Trierweiler Construction is set to handle the paving.

This month’s focus is on pavement removals, pipe installation, city water and sewer work, sand placement, and gravel placement. The crew has been navigating challenging conditions, with heavy rain turning the area’s poor clay soil into a muddy, wet worksite. Despite this, they have made remarkable progress, keeping the project on track.

One of the critical milestones is the paving we did in the first half of the project in , which covers two-thirds of the work, including Hoffman’s pipe work. The second half of the project, located on the west side, is less complex, with fewer businesses and only partial sidewalk and curb work required.

The Washburn STH 13 project, spanning 6,000 linear feet and split at 8th Avenue, presents a unique challenge as it involves coordinating with a separate city contract for water and sewer installations in the same roadway. Hoffman Construction’s team efficiently manages the phased work, ensuring that the storm sewer installation follows promptly after the city contractor’s work.

SUPPORTING LOCAL 4H

Earlier this month, Hoffman Construction proudly supported the local 4H club by purchasing livestock at the Jackson County Fair. Among the purchases were Taylor Laufenberg’s pig in the junior livestock auction, Luke Fischer’s pig at the livestock auction, and Cole Laufenberg’s reserve grand champion goat. All three are grandchildren of Ray Laufenberg, who worked for Hoffman for many years, making this support even more special.

Hoffman Construction also purchased cattle from Franny Everson, a dedicated 4H member for years. This could potentially be her last season raising animals for auction.